As they spoke about their rejection, the boys confirmed they were "going on holiday" after they crashed out of the contest.

Ashford said: "I think everything happens for a reason and I think coming together made us stronger. We've got five individual singers who are all great in their own right and together I think we're really good. It's just a shame it didn't translate. Hopefully we can progress after this amazing experience and go somewhere from here."

But Stefan, from Hampshire, admitted they were "gutted" to be out of the competition.

He said: "It would be a lie to say we're happy and upbeat. We're pretty gutted at the moment and it hasn't been long, so I think we're still reflecting on our performances and how people are reacting. And that won't change for a couple of days."

The band believed they didn't deserve to be bottom of the public vote.

Stefan said their choice of material may have let them down. They sang U2's With Or Without You on Saturday and Cheryl Cole's Promise This as they fought for survival the following day.

He added: "I think we went for that clubby type of song choice and it didn't pay off as well as we hoped it would."